Official to Terminate Search and Rescue Operation

Chief of National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) F.H. Bambang Sulistyo, said that once Air Asia flight QZ8501’s black box is lifted from the sea, the major search operation will be terminated. 

The search and rescue teams will later conduct a small operation in the second priority area that has been combed since last Tuesday. 

Bambang explained that search and rescue operations in times of accidents or natural disasters are conducted in reference to the Law on Search and Rescue. Based on article 40 of the law, search and rescue operations can be terminated under three conditions.

First, a search and rescue operation can be terminated once all victims have been discovered and evacuated. 

Second, an operation will be terminated if there are no signs of victims after seven days of the operation. Third, a search and rescue operation can be terminated if it considered to be ineffective based on technical considerations from the mission coordinator.

Although there are rules on terminating search and rescue operations, Bambang said that he cannot determine when operation will be terminated.

Air Asia flight QZ8501 departed from Surabaya to Singapore on December 28, 2014, carrying 155 passengers and five crews. Currently, 48 victims have been evacuated.

Sumber : Tempo